I had the privilege to meet this little precious beauty in the NICU not long ago. She was born at 38 weeks, weighing 4lbs 13oz. Due to her weight she was considered a preemie. This sweetness has a severe congenital heart defect called HRHS. She spent the first 8 days of her life in the NICU and has now been transferred over to the CVICU because eventually she will need a heart surgery and is currently awaiting a heart transplant. Lot’s of prayers and positive thoughts go out to this lovely family.

This month I’m also participating in a blog circle. These are super fun to see what is going on outside our little bubble here in Minnesota. Want to know what’s going on in Kalamazoo? Head to the end of this blog post to find out . . . .

But first this most beautiful NICU baby . . .

Tara Fletcher a Kalamazoo Lifestyle Photographer will be talking about a winter lifestyle session (my favorite!), in Southwest Michigan. Click her link above to be taken over to her blog.

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“I don’t want my photos to look posed”, is a phrase I hear all the time. Enter lifestyle photography.

A lifestyle photography session documents real life milestones, moments and events and gives you images that are anything but posed. Lifestyle photography photos tell your story just as it is at that precise moment and are perfect for any genre of photography. Action driven details bring your images to life over and over again.

So what are some of the situations where lifestyle photography can be used?

Kids Photography

Lifestyle photography is the ideal way to capture the beauty and authenticity of childhood. Make sure your children are well rested and that they’re comfortable in both their clothing and their surroundings. Patience is key during this type of session but this is when the magic happens. Bringing along a favorite snack, toy or book won’t hurt either.

Believe it or not, the most successful photos often happen when we let the kids lead the session. It’s all about making it a magical and spirited time where there is lots to take in. Sitting back and capturing those honest moments will ensure beautiful images that you’ll love for decades.

Newborn Photography

Lifestyle photography naturally lends itself to newborn photo sessions. True to life, crib and bassinet shots taken through the slats make for stunning photos. Then there are of course the shots with mom, dad, brothers, sisters and even the family pet. Moments that may seem mundane now such as bathing, feeding or even changing a diaper, from a distance of course, make for creative shots that you’ll love for years to come. Playing with and rocking your baby are also moments that you definitely won’t regret taking the time to capture as it gives you fond memories to look back on in the months to come as your baby grows and their routine changes.

Family Photography

There is nothing quite like having the family together. The laughing, games, meals and memories are truly something to treasure. A lifestyle photography session is the perfect excuse to get your family together and capture different generations spending quality time with each other. Why not shoot a family lunch or time spent playing outside in the garden? Capturing moments between siblings or grandparents and grandchildren are photos you can treasure for years to come.

Starting this year will be a newsletter sent out to all clients and potential clients. Meaning if you have had a session with me in the past or have even requested information from me you are automatically enrolled. If you decide you don’t want one more thing added to your e-mail because YES I get that! You will be able to simply unsubscribe and I won’t even know about it so it won’t even hurt my feelings. If you don’t get the newsletter but would like to . . . you can subscribe here: SUBSCRIBE TO mQn PHOTOGRAPHY NEWSLETTER

I’m hoping this will be full of helpful information, some discounts and maybe something you may have missed. Feel free to share with friends and family who you too think would love to see it. Remember I offer a great referral program!

When you start shopping around for a professional photographer the prices can sometimes seem quite daunting. What very few consumers realize though is that there is a lot more to photographing your event than just clicking a button at the right time.

So what are you paying for when hiring a professional photographer?

Time is money. Just like any other professional, a photographer needs to put in the hours to get the job done. This includes the consultation, traveling to and from the location, shooting the photos, editing and processing the orders. You’d be surprised at how long it takes to get the end result that is finally delivered to you. Once they shoot the photos, it’s not as simple as downloading the images and delivering them to you. They have to process the files, convert it to the correct file type as well as make sizing and color adjustments to make each image pop. If your photographer is also creating a book or album for you, they need to spend time designing it too.

Equipment is expensive. Even though this is a very small part of why photographers charge the prices they do, it’s important to remember that quality equipment plays an important role in being able to produce the photos that they do. Professional equipment not only allows for the production of high quality images, it also gives photographers the ability to work in areas with less than favorable lighting conditions or at venues where using a flash is prohibited.

They have spent years acquiring a very specific skill. Photography, like any other profession, requires experience and specific skills. From knowing what lighting and camera settings to use, to knowing how to pose people and help them feel comfortable in front of the camera. Great photographers don’t rush the editing process either, it takes time to produce the desired result and turn your photo into a work of art that you’ll proudly want to display in your home.

It’s still a business. A professional photographer is still running a business, which means they will more than likely have overhead costs such as rental fees for their studio and the upkeep of equipment. Photographers also need to budget for professional association fees, equipment and liability insurance and fees for courses that will allow them to stay ahead by continuously honing their craft.

A professional photographer who is dedicated to their art and willing to go the extra mile for their clients is always well worth the price. This is also a good time to bring up the fact that I LOVE giving back. I volunteer a lot of my time photographing in the NICU’s. Photographing NICU babies and their families means these families are getting the opportunity to receive beautiful images of their babies FREE of charge. They get a free session and all the digital images from that session gifted to them. It is my pleasure to participate in such a wonderful cause but I can only do it because of my wonderful paying clients who schedule their sessions with me on an ongoing basis. Without clients willing to pay my fees I wouldn’t be able to gift half as many sessions. So thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Michele is a participating photographer with The Tiny Footprints Project a non-profit organization